The lighting-caused forest fire blazing through the North Rim of the Grand Canyon doubled in size over the weekend. The Fuller Fire jumped from 5,940 acres to 13,382 on Monday, with zero containment to date. Dry and windy conditions on Saturday night helped the blaze spread through treetops near Imperial Point on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon . Currently more than 550 crew members are trying to manage the inferno that began on June 29. Some cloud cover and high humidity has hampered some of the spread since then, yet those in the area are still encouraged to take precautions. Related: Like Chernobyl all over again: Forest fires release plutonium particles into the air The Public Information Officer from the Navajo Nation , Mihio Manus, reached out to nearby residents who may face hazards associated with smoke inhalation. A full list of precautions can be found here, including the importance of following local air quality reports, taking steps to ensure the cleanest air possible indoors, reducing physical exertion, and possibly finding alternative shelter. Still, the Forest Service notes this is a natural fire with numerous ecological benefits. “This fire will help restore and protect the beauty and health of this forest for generations to come,” said Chris Marks, National Park Service Deputy Fire Management Officer. “This is an incredibly unique opportunity for visitors to see not only the canyon itself, but fire playing its role on the land.” Via NBC 12 News , AZ Family Images via Grand Canyon National Park , Twitter

Comments Off on The world’s first "Tesla Town" with solar roofs and Powerwalls is coming to Australia

Developers in Australia just announced plans to build the world’s first “Tesla town” – a small suburb off Melbourne’s business district where every house will have a solar roof and a built-in Tesla Powerwall . The project has been hailed as one of the most environmentally sustainable developments in Australia, and for good reason . Residents can expect to see their water use reduced by 43%, landfill contributions will be reduced by 80%, and the solar panels are expected to generate so much electricity that residents will be able to recharge their electric cars for free. The world’s first “Tesla Town” is officially called YarraBend after the Yarra River that runs through the neighborhood. The suburb will eventually cover 16.46 hectares of land, and it’s slated to include 2,500 new dwellings with a combination of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The first 60 homes will go on sale this week at prices between $1.48 million and $2.1 million. Designed, developed, and built by the property group Glenvill , the homes boast a full range of green features. Not only can the houses generate and store solar power, but the community also features electric car charging stations and energy efficient lighting and appliances. The buildings themselves are designed to minimize their impact on the environment. Related: Tesla dumps high capacity Powerwall as it gears up for Mark II release Contracts for the new residences are expected to be officially signed in August, and residents will be able to start moving in around late 2017. If you’re interested in signing up for one of the first homes to become available, visit YarraBend’s website at the link below. + YarraBend Via Clean Technica

Comments Off on Smart space-saving design transforms a tiny apartment in Taipei into an upscale home

Skyrocketing housing prices in Taipei have forced young homeowners into increasingly smaller houses. Like most small apartments in the city, the property the client purchased already came with a space-saving loft setup, however, the existing design made the apartment feel cramped, limited on storage, and unsuitable for entertaining guests. To maximize space and reinvent the feel of the apartment, the architects gutted the interior and inserted a new materials palette and hidden storage for a clean and minimalist vibe. White-painted walls, white brick, and light oak surfaces dominate the renovated apartment. While the layout was kept mostly intact, the clever reorganization of spaces and appliances made a big difference. New shelving and closet space span the wall from floor to ceiling, while additional hidden storage can be found inside the couch in the alcove, which previously occupied a long table with seating. Two narrow wooden tables at the edge of the room can be moved and rearranged to form a workspace or dining table. The bathroom was also made to feel more spacious thanks to the new white tiling, removal of the washing machine to the kitchen, and the replacement of the shower stall with a bath. The bed and a small desk are located on the mezzanine level. Related: Moving origami partition maximizes space in tiny Madrid apartment “The flat has sufficient natural light and ventilation, and the main colors used are white and oak which makes the space brighter and more spacious,” write A Little Design. “All equipment and fixtures are stacked according to the confines, but not be compressed in size. In a city like Taipei, where the living space is limited, we hope the project can provide a practical solution for people who own a tiny space like this.” + A Little Design Via ArchDaily Images via A Little Design

Comments Off on Fuelled by drought conditions, California fire is completely unpredictable

The 70,000 acre Rocky Fire that is still raging near Clear Lake California has defied firefighter’s predictions of how a wildfire should behave. It has already crossed highways, fire lines and other barriers which were expected to contain it. On Saturday, the fire grew by 22,000 acres, engulfing an area of land that had been predicted to take a week to burn. More than 3,600 firefighters are now fighting the fire, which is currently 40 percent contained. Read the rest of Fuelled by drought conditions, California fire is completely unpredictable

Comments Off on Beetle-Kill Pine is Igniting Both Wildfires and the Lumber Industry

As climate change warms areas of Colorado, mountain pine beetles ( Dendroctonus ponderosae) have infested lodgepole pines and drastically reduced their numbers. Of the 1.5 million acres of forest in the state, nearly 70 percent of lodgepole pines have been wiped out by the insects. As the trees die, they fall to the ground and provide fuel for forest fires. The wood has also become an attractive choice for designers and architect, because no trees have to technically be cut down for material, and they sport a beautiful blue hue caused by fungus the beetles carry. Read the rest of Beetle-Kill Pine is Igniting Both Wildfires and the Lumber Industry Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: beetle-kill pine , biochar , blue pine , Climate Change , colorado , forest fire , greenway , lumber , mountain pine beetle